Ruvuma Produces 41 Million Kilograms of Cashew Nuts

The Ruvuma Regional Commissioner, Brigadier General Ahmed Abbas Ahmed, stated that in the 2025/2026 agricultural season, Ruvuma Region produced 41 million kilograms of cashews, equivalent to 102.5 percent compared to the 31 million kilograms produced in the previous season. This was announced in a speech read on his behalf by the Tunduru District Commissioner, Denis Masanja, at a cashew industry stakeholder meeting held in Tunduru, Ruvuma, according to the public source.

The Regional Commissioner highlighted that this achievement is significant and commendable, stemming from the efforts of farmers and the cooperation of experts, cooperative societies, local councils, and various stakeholders in the agricultural sector, the source reported.

For the 2026/2027 marketing season, the region has set a target of 45,000 tons, a goal that requires more effort, robust supervision, and close collaboration among all stakeholders, as stated by the Regional Commissioner. He emphasized that the success of the current season cannot be achieved through the efforts of a single institution alone but requires cooperation and accountability from every stakeholder in the cashew value chain.

The Regional Commissioner also identified challenges from the past season that require improvement, including weak management of crop collection, quality of farmer data, and the use of digital scales. He instructed the main cooperative union to ensure proper management of the farmer payment system and extension officers to supervise crop collection.

Furthermore, the Regional Commissioner directed local councils and cooperative societies to register farmers using their actual names and for the Weights and Measures Agency to ensure the use of accurate scales, the source indicated. The Ruvuma Regional Administrative Secretary, Mary Makondo, commended the government for providing funds, loans, pesticides, and extension experts, which contributed to the increase in cashew production.

She noted that the presence of primary cooperative societies (AMCOS) has helped farmers receive timely payments and increase their income due to a reliable market, thereby improving community welfare and farmer economy. Representatives from financial institutions at the meeting pledged to continue providing loans for tools to farmers and to improve payment services to ensure timely payments, as per the source.

This information matters to TCDI's areas as it directly relates to community development, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for residents in Tunduru and Ruvuma, particularly those involved in agriculture. Understanding the successes and challenges in the cashew sector can inform local community support initiatives. This is TCDI context, not a statement by the source, and does not mean TCDI took part in what is reported.